Structure and properties of Ti(IV)-doped zinc hydroxychloride rusts formed at various temperatures

Abstract To simulate the atmospheric corrosion of steels galvanized with Ti–Zn alloys under different atmospheric temperatures, Ti(IV)-doped zinc hydroxychloride (Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O: ZHC) was prepared at various aging temperatures of 6–120 °C. Adding the Ti(IV) inhibited the crystallization and particle growth of ZHC, showing a minimum at 50 °C. Higher aging temperature promoted the formation of TiO2 nano-particles. Elevating the aging temperature suppressed the adsorption of H2O and CO2 on Ti(IV)-doped ZHC. These results suggest that the alloying Ti in galvanized steel forms compact zinc rust layer at various atmospheric temperatures in marine environment, which would lead to the enhancement of corrosion resistance.